The total number of people known to have died in the California wildfire has increased to 25.

More than a dozen bodies, most of which were found severely burned in their cars and houses, were discovered by authorities combing through the wreckage three days after the outbreak of the fire.

The majority of the dead are in Butte County, where a further 110 people have been reported missing, but two bodies were also found in a car in wildfire in south California.

Earlier, nine people were confirmed to have died fleeing flames in the Californian town of Paradise.

Image:The Woolsey fire has devastated Malibu, home to many Hollywood stars

Image:Firefighters are stationed along the Pacific Coast Highway to battle the Woolsey fire

We spent yesterday evacuating our homes and I want to take a moment to thank all of the incredibly brave firefighters, servicemen, first responders, volunteers and all of those who are working tirelessly to protect our lives and our homes. pic.twitter.com/5iWDeOHQme

Los Angeles County fire chief Daryl Osby said thousands of firefighters were working in the toughest, most extreme conditions they had ever seen.

Some 150 homes had been burned and the number was expected to rise, he said.

Image:The Woolsey fire has destroyed dozens of structures and forced thousands of evacuations

The other nine deaths were in Paradise, a town of 27,000 in northern California, which was destroyed by fire.

Four of the dead are believed to have perished in their cars, trying to escape flames that moved so fast they left firefighters powerless.

My family in Calabasas (Raven Ct, Agoura Hills, CA, 91301) tried to evacuate from their home twice but all roads around are closed and can not get to Parkway. They are panicking (elderly). Please help.